You have already read the whole act and understand the characters. You will now be in charge of creating the most significant pieces of text of a particular interaction/relationship/scene. So, think about: what do you make obvious and what do you make subtle? The words are very important. Ibsen was considered a master of the language, but body language and tone are also important, so how do you play the character? Don't just choose the important pieces of the plot; choose important aspects/complexities of the character. We've all read; we know the plot. Also, be sure to jot down answers to each of the following questions so that you can explain them to the class. Perhaps you want to have someone do this on the discussion portion of this page so that they are there for all to reference.
Nora and Torvald:
What is the subtext?
What is the tone Torvald uses with Nora?
Does Nora enjoy the role she has?
Is Nora a spendthrift?
If this play were staged modern-day, what pet names would be used for Nora? (yuk it up...but seriously, you'll have to be pretty thoughtful about their relationship to really capture the best modern-day diction).
Christine and Nora:
What is the tone that Christine uses with Nora?
How do they look/act differently from one another?
What is Nora’s tone as she explains her “difficulties” to Christine?
What is the significance of Nora’s mention of dreaming of a wealthy gentleman? Does one exist?
What is Nora’s feeling about this thing she has done for Torvald?
How is Nora’s character further revealed in the info she reveals to Christine and how she reveals it?
Dr. Rank, Nora, Christine:
What is Dr. Rank’s tone?
What is the significance of chatter about Krogstad and his morality?
How does Nora come across differently in this scene than when interacting with Torvald? What’s different?
What is revealed about Nora’s honesty/deception?
Nora and children (stage directions):
What is revealed about Nora as a parent?
What is Krogstad’s reaction to this play as he watches?
Nora and Krogstad:
What inconsistencies exist in what Nora says to Krogstad?
Act I Parts:
Guidelines:
You have already read the whole act and understand the characters. You will now be in charge of creating the most significant pieces of text of a particular interaction/relationship/scene. So, think about: what do you make obvious and what do you make subtle? The words are very important. Ibsen was considered a master of the language, but body language and tone are also important, so how do you play the character? Don't just choose the important pieces of the plot; choose important aspects/complexities of the character. We've all read; we know the plot. Also, be sure to jot down answers to each of the following questions so that you can explain them to the class. Perhaps you want to have someone do this on the discussion portion of this page so that they are there for all to reference.Nora and Torvald:
What is the subtext?
What is the tone Torvald uses with Nora?
Does Nora enjoy the role she has?
Is Nora a spendthrift?
If this play were staged modern-day, what pet names would be used for Nora? (yuk it up...but seriously, you'll have to be pretty thoughtful about their relationship to really capture the best modern-day diction).
Christine and Nora:
What is the tone that Christine uses with Nora?
How do they look/act differently from one another?
What is Nora’s tone as she explains her “difficulties” to Christine?
What is the significance of Nora’s mention of dreaming of a wealthy gentleman? Does one exist?
What is Nora’s feeling about this thing she has done for Torvald?
How is Nora’s character further revealed in the info she reveals to Christine and how she reveals it?
Dr. Rank, Nora, Christine:
What is Dr. Rank’s tone?
What is the significance of chatter about Krogstad and his morality?
How does Nora come across differently in this scene than when interacting with Torvald? What’s different?
What is revealed about Nora’s honesty/deception?
Nora and children (stage directions):
What is revealed about Nora as a parent?
What is Krogstad’s reaction to this play as he watches?
Nora and Krogstad:
What inconsistencies exist in what Nora says to Krogstad?